Posted by Sudbury Northern Life
City council is asking the federal and provincial governments for $76.7 million to improve five area roads.
Doug Nadorozny, acting chief administrative officer, said at a
priorities committee meeting Wednesday the best projects to put
forth were those that could be started immediately and be
completed within the two year timeline of the infrastructure
program.
The deadline for applications to the infrastructure program is May 1.
Which of the proposed projects will actually receive funding
is unknown, he said.
City staff prepared a list of projects they felt would interest
senior levels of government.
Councillors agreed to submit five major roads projects. But they also agreed to offer one smaller community project, the rehabilitation of Bell Park, on the prompting of Mayor John Rodriguez.
The following projects were put forth:
-MR 86 (Falconbridge Hwy.) 9.9. km rehabilitation project at an estimated cost of $13 million-from the Kingsway to Skead Road. The arterial route carries 10,500 to 27,000 vehicles per day. Two turning lanes will be built at high accident driveways. The project is to start in June 2009 and be completed by November 2010.
-MR 55 (old Hwy. 17/Lorne/Douglas/Brady/Kingsway) 9.7 km rehabilitation project at an estimated cost of $18 million from Power Street to Bancroft Drive. The arterial route carries 19,500 to 45,000 vehicles per day. It provides the westerly link between the provincial highway system and the city core. It will take place from June 2009 to November 2010
-MR 80 (Paris/Notre Dame) 2.7 km rehabilitation project at an estimated cost of $11,500,000 from Kathleen Street to York Street. The arterial route carries 21,000 to 31,000 vehicles per day. It is the major north-south arterial route through the former city.
-MR 71 (LaSalle Blvd.) 4.5 km rehabilitation project from Falconbridge Hwy. to Notre Dame Avenue at an estimated cost of $14 million. The arterial route carries 17,000 to 36,000 vehicles per day. It is one of two major east-west arterial routes through the former city, and is the major ore route linking the east end of the city with the west.
-MR 15 16.4 km rehabilitation project from Belisle Drive to Hwy 144 at an estimated cost of $20 million. This arterial route carries 4,400 to 10,500 vehicles per day-it has become an ore route for the recently opened Nickel Rim Mine and links the communities of Val Caron and Chelmsford.
Regarding the last road project, MR 15, Ward 5 Coun Ron Dupuis said it was wise to include it on the list.
"I have heard there will be an ore truck every eight minutes on this route. It will be more important as time goes on," he said.
In addition, Rodriguez proposed to include a $5 million upgrade for Bell Park, the Grace Hartman Amphitheatre and park entrance upgrades. This project would ensure the park becomes a destination for summer activities.
Improvements include rebuilding the existing amphitheatre along with upgrades to the main entrance consisting of access road, pathways, parking, site lighting, box office and perimeter controls.
"Bell Park has a lot of visitors in the summer. We, as a council, agreed to offer to the federal government 75 per cent of the projects for improving roads but there is also a need for other projects besides roads. Roads have to lead to something," said Rodriguez.
Rodriguez said if part of the intent of the federal and provincial governments was to get public applause for their funding, then Bell Park was as good as any road.
"Bell Park is a high profile place to put a sign."
